Challenges of Virtual Teams

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Recommended: Comparison between virtual and traditional teams

A virtual team is a group of people working interdependently via various types of electronic media across organizational and geographical boundaries for a shared purpose (D’Souza & Colarelli, 2010). Research indicates virtual teams are becoming increasingly popular in organizations across the United States and the world (D’Souza & Colarelli, 2010; Rusman, van Bruggen, Sloep, & Koper, 2010). These teams vary in size, degree of geographic dispersion, prior shared work experience, nature of assignment, and expectations of a common future (Rusman et al., 2010). Although virtual teams have potential advantages like the removal of physical boundaries, the ability to form new partnerships, and optimization of competencies (Chinowsky & Rojas, 2003), they also introduce many challenges that may not be as prevalent in traditional teams.

Remaining focused on the overall goals and objectives of a project can become an issue if these are not consistently restated by managers or team leaders. Without the advantage of regular and ad hoc personal meetings, members of virtual teams may misinterpret, inadvertently change, or lose focus on the goals of the project. Because of this, individuals are charged with a greater responsibility to remain focused on both expected outcomes and objectives (Chinowsky & Rojas, 2003).

A reliable environment for teams to exchange information in a secure manner may be a necessity for virtual teams; therefore, security can pose another challenge. Different types of projects may require different levels of security. A virtual private network may be necessary to ensure that information is passed securely to the desired recipients. Authentication and encryption techniques can guarantee secure transmission of electronic...

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Greenberg, P., Greenberg, R., & Antonucci, Y. (2007). Creating and sustaining trust in virtual teams. Business Horizons, 50, 325-333. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2007.02.005

Mortensen, M., & Hinds, P. (2001). CONFLICT AND SHARED IDENTITY IN GEOGRAPHICALLY DISTRIBUTED TEAMS. International Journal of Conflict Management (1997-2002), 12(3), 212-238. doi:10.1108/eb022856

Platt, L. (1999). Virtual Teaming: Where Is Everyone?. Journal for Quality & Participation, 22(5), 41. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3616/is_199909/ai_n8872660/

Rusman, E., van Bruggen, J., Sloep, P., & Koper, R. (2010). Fostering trust in virtual project teams: Towards a design framework grounded in a TrustWorthiness ANtecedents (TWAN) schema. International Journal of Human -- Computer Studies, 68(11), 834-850. doi:10.1016/j.ijhcs.2010.07.003

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